Issue 32 Nick Reiner

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BEING NICK

NICK REINER TALKS ABOUT ADDICTION AND HIS NEW FILM “BEING CHARLIE”.

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EDITOR’S

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NOTES

DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?

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Editor at Large

SAM HALL KAPLAN

Consultant, Business & Media LINDA ATKINSON

PR & Media Relations DIANA KELLY

Rogue Writer

BEN MARCUS

Editors

DAVID STANSFIELD MARIE MANVEL TYNE DOYLE BRIAN TIELEMAN DANIEL BRALVER JACKIE ROBBINS LORY MAYOTTE GUS JOHANSON ANNEMARIE STEIN KIM LEDOUX

Surfer Mag shining some light on the CCCockroaches as they delve into the dark corners of the California Coastal Commission.

Malibu developer Don Schmitz was exposed for his cozy relationship with Comissioner Martha McClure which included overnighters at Schmitz’ Malibu home.

HASHTAGS: #curatorsofcoastalculture #malibu #90265 #thevoicesofmalibu

FOR ADVERTISING: thelocalmalibu@gmail.com ON THE COVER:

NICK REINER PHOTOGRAPHY BY

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MADELINE MARY

Contributing Photographers TIM HORTON NICK CALAFATI JEN BEL EMILY SCHER JEFF HERRERA

Malibu High School Interns LILY CASTRO JOSEPHINE MARSHALL ABBY DROEGER

Money can’t buy you love but if you’re The Edge, it can buy you an editorial that sounds eerily close to an infomercial complete with a Jesus like environmentalist standing on your undeveloped protected coastal ridge.

ISSUE 32 MAY/JUNE 2016

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NEWSWORTHY

JUDGES RULING : STAY PUT, MEASURE R IS STILL IN EFFECT!

Slow growth advocates were able to breathe a sigh of relief now that Measure R is back in effect in the City of Malibu. The measure showed signs of revival when the proponents were granted a stay on May 10th allowing the case to works it’s way through the court system.

A panel of three judges signed the decision, which came about after interveners on behalf of SAVE MALIBU filed written papers asking for the ordinance to go back into place during the appeal process.

Proponent Michele Reiner spoke exclusively to The Local about the Stay granted by the court in the Measure R case: “This ruling is another victory for the power of the people. When City Hall failed to protect us, the people of Malibu stepped up to pass Measure R, and the people have stepped up again to defend the measure on appeal. We hope this prompts the City Council to do its duty and go to court on behalf of its constituents, who passed Measure R by a landslide.”

Once again, Malibu residents had to step in and do what our City’s elected officials including City Attorney Christi Hogin have been reluctant to do. This does not bode well for the current City Council who may want to run for re-election in November. The May 23rd City Council decision and future actions concerning the Measure R appeal will play an important role through the up coming campaign season.

It may also sink in one day to out of town developers and out of state investors that Malibu residents have never been welcoming to those who want to shove their mega project plans down our throats.

Attention future developers and investors: take note that the property you invested in may not be as valuable as you were banking on.

The Spirit of May Rindge lives on!

THE CITY OBSERVED

BY SAM HALL KAPLAN

Sometimes I feel my city of Malibu and neighborhood of Point Dume is becoming less a stunning singular coastal enclave, and more a non-descript monopoly board; where a house is less a home and more an investment, a safe deposit box of sorts.

What is happening in Malibu and several other desirable neighborhoods in Southern California is that housing is becoming more and more difficult for most families to buy.

That is unless they have deep pocket parents, or they themselves are obscenely wealthy, thanks to our inequitable economy, as I commented on 97.5 KBU, radiomalibu.net and select websites.

Though difficult to track more than anecdotally, an increasing number of houses on select streets are being snapped up as weekend retreats.

These buyers are known as zombie owners. If and when seen, they tend not to be friendly, and not particularly concerned with issues beyond their locked gates. So much for a sense of community I am, of course, prejudice, having grown up in Brooklyn, in an neighborhood where you hung out on stoops, and everyone knew everyone, and their business. I later lived in a gritty East Harlem project tower, but its lobby, streets and playgrounds were friendly.

A sense of community also persisted later, when raising a family in Princeton, New Jersey and Port Washington, Long Island. Schools and local politics bonded you.

It was the same when I moved to L.A., in Santa Monica, with a few more kids in tow, before the wife found a house she loved in Malibu. That was 20 years ago.

There living across the street was an elderly couple in a house shared by their reclusive son and several dogs. We and our parade of pets became friendly, keeping an eye on each other. But they sadly passed, as did the dogs, and in time their inconsolable son. The house was put up for sale.

We looked forward with trepidation to whom would buy, and perhaps demolish it and construct a macmansion, as what was happening in our former Santa Monica neighborhood.

Ironically, I had been quite critical of this trend in my writings 25 years ago, and immodestly am credited by Wikipedia with having indirectly coined the phrase.

Of course, neighborhoods transform. My Brooklyn once populated with European Jews is now a hipster haven. Who would have guessed. If there is one constant in cities it is change.

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LOCAL

BLAZING TRAILS

SMCC PLANNING LEADS PUBLIC ACCESS HIKING TRAILS THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS CAUSING CONCERN FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS

BY RICK MULLEN The Malibu Trails Committee and the Trails Plan was an effort started with the best of intentions.

I imagine that many years ago when people saw “old Malibu” slipping away and new houses popping up with fences and gates that impeded the flow of wildlife, equestrians and hikers an effort was undertaken so save the former ability to wander over hill and dale unimpeded. That effort, like so many noble governmental undertakings, has run into the law of unintended consequences. The “age of the smartphone” has changed everything. There are now 14 million visitors a year descending upon this small town of 13,000. That visitor ratio is probably unmatched on Planet Earth.

Just like the tides of our shoreline, there is a tide of humanity that flows in and out of Malibu on every weekend. For the most part, they flow in and enjoy the natural beauty of our town, and they flow out again without problem. There are exceptions to this – most notably in Winding Way East and Paradise Cove where the residential neighborhoods are impacted. There are other new focus points of the public’s attention like the formerly lightly visited El Matador State Beach, which is now heavily trafficked every weekend due to Social Media. So far, El Matador works fairly well as there is no residential neighborhood to traverse but with all the parking along PCH, it has created another new, potentially fatal, human danger zone.

Trails snaking all over Malibu without consultation with any of the neighborhoods.

The City Government needs to consider very carefully the impact on residential neighborhoods when it discusses the granting of public trail easements during the permitting process for development. A developer or speculator can get a variance granted to his project by potentially granting public access into a neighborhood where he has never even consulted – or maybe not even met – any of the neighborhood residents some who have lived there for 50 years in some cases. He then sells the permitted property and moves on to the next conquest. A trail map put together by a Trails Committee headed by Don Schmitz, (appointed by the City of Malibu, Schmitz is one of the most aggressive commercial development expeditors in the entire Malibu vicinity), with trails snaking all over Malibu without consultation with any of the neighborhoods (although this was mandated by the original Trails Master Plan) is now being transformed into an “incentive” map, care of the Coastal Commission. Building permit seekers can, to a degree, “super-size” their project by granting a public trail easement in a residential neighborhood that, once granted, stays forever. Does any of this make sense?

There have been numerous times where we have had to put forth a significant effort to stop the granting of a public trail easement in our neighborhood. This has been either by an unwitting resident who listened to his “expediter” on how to smooth the permitting process by granting trail easement, a developer, or the SMMC working in conjunction with the City to “shakedown” property owners for public trail easements during the permitting process. I have seen the Conservancy representatives being the only ones in support of huge development projects way outside of what the General Plan allows just to obtain a trail easement. So much for “conservation”.

It was encouraging to see that there appears to be something of a sea change on the City Council at the recent meeting about the Trails Plan. The Sycamore Canyon residents have now had the pleasure of interacting with the representatives of the Conservancy and they came out in force to express their opinion loud and clear side by side with their Ramirez Canyon brethren. Mayor Rosenthal put it best when she said that the Conservancy does a very poor job of maintaining, looking out for public safety, or reducing the impact of the ever-increasing numbers of people descending on trails that they are responsible for and so have no business in looking to acquire more at this point. They need to do a much better job with what they already have.

The reality is that the Conservancy has spent a considerable amount of public funds to acquire property, develop plans for, purchase easements on private land and get approval from the Coastal Commission for the “Coastal Slope Trail” which by passes the neighborhoods and provides the public with a more natural, as opposed to residential, trail experience and connects to planned parking lots on Kanan Dume road and other places. These trails cut through ESHA and it was a considerable undertaking for them to gain approval for this big project from the Coastal Commission. Why, then, is it so important for them to pursue public trail easements throughout residential neighborhoods?

The residents of Sycamore Canyon and Ramirez Canyon have something in common: the unpleasant experience of dealing with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy trying to open up their private neighborhood and private roads to the public. That is why they were motivated to act.

But, every neighborhood in Malibu has this problem as the trails on the trails “incentive” map are all over Malibu. Most neighborhoods are unaware because they were never consulted and most of these efforts have been “stealth” efforts by the Conservancy with the City often acting as the facilitator in obtaining these easements for them. There are probably “sleeper” easements all over the place that no one knows about and no neighborhoods were consulted.

Neighbors on the private street have had to deal with trespassers parking illegally , jumping over fences and knocking on doors asking to use a restroom.

The residents of Sycamore Canyon and Ramirez Canyon have something in common: the unpleasant experience of dealing with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy trying to open up their private neighborhood and private roads to the public.

I was very encouraged by the words and actions of the Mayor and all the Council Members at Monday night’s meeting. I strongly urge that the City Government stick to the original words of the Master Trails Plan that all neighborhood trails should be formed in consultation with and with the majority support of the neighborhood in which they are drawn. There are well-worded protections in the original Trails Master Plan and even though it was written in 2002 right on page 4 it highlights the problems associated with “funneling large numbers of people into their community from outside the area with all the appurtenant problems of litter, vandalism, liability and crime”. Somewhere along the way, these considerations were ignored when these trails lines were drawn without speaking to residents of the affected neighborhoods.

The City Council should adopt a policy to never accept a public trail easement segment unless the communities have been “polled to ascertain if there is a majority of support for a trail in that area.” (page 8 of the Master Trails Plan). But realistically, since those 14 million visitors will soon be 20 million – does it really make sense to make public trails in the residential neighborhoods of the 13,000 residents? No. The visitors come for the beaches and the mountains. All of the best spots in both of those locations are on public land. The taxpayers have spent millions of dollars acquiring land in the Santa Monica Mountains and the best beaches are public. Let the peaceful residential neighborhoods maintain their rural character.

Social media has hyped trail systems in Malibu faster than the Conservancy can properly maintain and supervise. Trash, graffiti, open fires and criminal activity presents danger to nearby residents.

HISTORICAL WELCOME TO

MALIBU HILLS 1928

It was 1928 at the corner of the Roosevelt HWY and the Topanga Canyon rodeo grounds that the adventurous from Los Angeles could stock up on gas, and a few essential supplies, before heading up into the remote Malibu coast. Here was a small, wood sided office with posted brochures and maps for those who wanted to explore the recently opened coastline. With Los Angeles and the Hollywood film industry booming, development was rapidly pushing west towards the beaches of Santa Monica. A new Malibu hills land company was offering 1/5-acre lots in Corral Canyon to hunters and outdoorsmen who wanted a place to build a summer get-a-way cabin. Malibu Hills was offering charming weekend lodges and permanent homes. “Here you may entertain your friends and enjoy diversified out -of - door recreation without molestation or disturbance.” Without molestation?

Matt Haines, a Corral Canyon resident and local firefighter hero, recently rediscovered a copy of an old brochure that he had copied from the original. The original was possessed by an old timer, Ben Kennedy, who was an early pioneer of Corral Canyon .Ben was one of the original residents of El Nido and he fought and survived every brush fire from the 40’s on .Ben had been around long enough to see local lots sell for $35 .Ben was also a legendary humanitarian and for 17 years would go to Market Basket or Hughes market, pick through tossed out trash and collect bread and produce that had not yet reached expiration dates. He would load the groceries in his pick-up truck and distribute the food to churches, homeless shelters and relief organizations throughout the Westside and Ventura. Kennedy continued his food distribution program until he was well into his early 90s.

In 1996, Kennedy received a Dolphin Award from The Malibu Times for his efforts on behalf of the less fortunate.”Ben was just there for everybody no matter who it was,” Sharon Barovsky said. “Ben was one of those rare people who always gave back more than he asked for.”

Ben’s house was a museum of Malibu artifacts but sadly he lost his house and everything in it in the 2007 Corral brush fire. He passed away soon after the fire. Matt Haines, who learned how to fight fires from the old timer, had copied his Malibu Hills brochure before the original copy burned, The brochure: “ Welcome to Malibu Hills” “For more than a hundred years this beautiful preserve on the outskirts of Los Angeles has been kept intact against trespassers and campers. The pristine glory of the Spanish California has not been disturbed.

Trails that were old in the days of the Civil War traverse the mountains. On every site are found relics of ancient Indian villages and early Spanish settlements. Wild game still roams the hills. Sparkling brooks still flow in the dark canyons and the lashing surf breaks on unspoiled beaches. The romance of the past, tales of dashing caballeros, and the traditions of free booters and the treasure trove hang like a veil over the Malibu country.

The most accessible part of the region is now being offered to those who have longed to enjoy its quiet and freedom .In Malibu Hills are lodges and permanent homes. Here you may entertain your friends and enjoy diversified out -of -door recreation without molestation or disturbance.

Those familiar with real estate history in Southern California have witnessed the phenomenal growth of Los Angeles westward to the sea. Residential expansion has forced this development through Hollywood and Beverly Hills, then westward into Bel Air, Westwood and Santa Monica .The movement is now moving up the coast through Malibu Hills.

Values Increasing Values in surrounding property are mounting steadily. Prominent individuals and trust companies are consistently purchasing in and near Malibu Hills .The sites at Malibu Hills, which are offered to you, are at original prices and can be purchased outright. The Title Insurance and Trust Company of Los Angeles issue title policies.

The Roosevelt Ocean Highway, now paved past the foot of Malibu Hills, will soon be finished to Venture .It will be the most heavily traveled artery bearing San Francisco - Los Angeles traffic in Southern California. Corral Canyon country road is being improved and will soon cross the mountains, running from the ocean to Ventura Boulevard. Other road improvements will be made in the near future.

Profits Assured A group of sportsmen is spending thousands of dollars for a clubhouse and mountain homes on the property adjoining Malibu Hills. The eyes of Los Angeles are now focused on this developing section.

No greater opportunity for far seeing investors is open today. Malibu Hills combines the beauties of mountain and ocean scenery. It holds the positive assurance of handsome profits. Improvements are now being installed. An abundance of water has been piped to every site. A splendid road system has been built. Building supplies can be obtained on the ground.

Untamed since the days of the Dons, Malibu Hills is now a veritable paradise for those who are weary of crowded beaches and over populated mountain resorts. Here you may build your lodge on your own property and be ready for a day or a week of seclusion and sport.

A prominent writer refers to the Malibu as “Americas Riviera.” Certainly it is one of the most beautiful strips of shore on either coast. Malibu Hills is 900 feet above the sea, yet so close that the roar of the surf comes faintly to your ears. A perfect climate continues all through the year and the ocean breezes are cool during the summer months. From your porch you will look down on Point Dume, Santa Monica and all of the Channel Islands.

BY STEVE WOODS

HISTORICAL Horse Back Riding and Other Sports Horses from the Malibu Hills Riding Stables may be obtained for an hour or a day at reasonable rates. Many miles of bridle paths lead through the mountains to such interesting places as Malibou Lake and the Seminole Hot Springs. Hiking is a popular sport on the many trails and footpaths that wind over the hills and through the shaded canyons. The El Nido Inn is headquarters for supplies and information. Dances are frequently held at the Inn and meals are served.

Because the district has been closed to the public for so many years, game is as plentiful as in a game preserve. Deer, quail, dove, bobcat, mountain lion, raccoon and fox may be shot in season. The beaches of Santa Monica are popular with swimmers and are but a short distance from Malibu Hills. Deep sea and surf fishing in adjacent waters are excellent.

Architectural Supervision Building restrictions require all lodges and permanent homes to be designed in keeping with the surroundings. No tents or improvised shacks are permitted.

Appropriate designs may be obtained from the building committee who will supervise your plans and make helpful suggestions without charge. Every care is being taken to preserve the beauty of Malibu Hills to secure congenial neighbors and to ensure architectural harmony.”

Well, Corral Canyon road never was connected over the hill to Ventura Blvd, (now the Ventura Freeway) the desired buyers were far fewer than expected and, while properties were bought and sold, Malibu was a hard sell for developers trying to entice city folk out to the desolate coastline. Even the Malibu West subdivision built in the 60’s had a hard time enticing buyers and resorted to including a free new Mustang upon purchase.

How times have changed.

In the old hand drawn map of Malibu in 1928, it showed the Malibu Hills tract office at the corner of Topanga and the Roosevelt Highway. The site for City of Malibu is adjacent to where the yacht harbor would be built.

Mullholland Drive appeared as a dirt track that paralleled Ventura Blvd which is today’s Ventura Freeway. Malibu Hills in Corral Canyon is the circle with an arrow pointing to it with a wishing well and an Inn. Decades before Kanan Dume Road was envisioned, a dotted line led prospective buyers to believe that Corral Canyon would be developed over the ridge and connect with Ventura Blvd. An oil rig is drawn on Point Dume and and just offshore the bay was labeled ‘Bannings Harbor’.

The biggest road in western Malibu was Decker Road which connected toTrinufo Road.

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LOCAL

MOSAIC MASTER

MALIBU

ARTIST CARMELO FIANNACA TO OFFER WEEKLEY CLASSES

BY STEPHEN JAFFE Fourteen hundred feet high above the azure shores of Malibu’s beaches lives an extremely gifted artist, Carmelo Fiannaca, his beautiful wife Jeanne, their wirehaired Dachshund, Charlie and a little rascal of a cat they call Sasha. The air is truly fresh up there and there are literally no sounds of the city.

“This is our ‘Tranquility Base’,” Carmelo says quoting the first moon-walking astronaut, Neil Armstrong. “We can look out at the sea for hours – far away from the stresses of the city – and just chill forever. There’s nothing like it.”

Their exquisite Italian-Tuscan style home was lovingly designed and built from the ground up by Carmelo after the devastating Corral Canyon fire of 2007 which wiped them out and most of their neighbors houses as well. The tragic destruction played out over the cable news channels as firefighters tried to save dwellings that stood there for 50 years or more.

Today, after a great deal of work and sacrifice, once again Carmelo and Jeanne can look out from their porch and enjoy the sun drenched views of the coastline that stretches from the southernmost tip of the Pacific Coast to the island of Catalina and many miles to points north.

Carmelo’s deep affection for art began as a young child in Agrigento, Sicily. Before his third birthday, his family moved to Lucerne, Switzerland, and it was during those years that Carmelo discovered drawing and painting.

By the age of 10, he gained attention through comics and stories he created. His illustrations demonstrated unusually advanced abilities for such a young boy.

Carmelo’s inspiration deepened during a summer trip to Sicily when he discovered the Cathedral di Monreale in Palermo where he marveled at the color, texture and surfaces of mosaic art.

He received his degree from Plattenleger Verband in Lucerne, Switzerland, in design, restoration, fabrication and installation. Carmelo continued his studies with the help of a scholarship from the National Art Association and received his degree in the U.S. from the School of Design, Art and Architecture at Santa Monica College.

As an accomplished professional, Carmelo designs, creates and installs one-of-akind mosaics and sculptures for gallery, architectural, community and home settings. His mosaics are produced using the finest materials gathered from sources around the world: smalti, gold, marble, vitreous glass, ceramic and more. He recently completed a 3-year long installation at Duke’s Point – the former home of film star John Wayne - in Newport Beach, California.

Carmelo’s penchant for creative expression extends beyond the exhibition of his masterful works of art. He has always wanted to share his love for the process with others, particularly young people. So he created a series of classes, like a club that you belong to as a getaway.

It’s your gift to yourself or a loved one or your kids. Twice a week including all day on Sundays, you can just drive to the beautiful, Fiannaca Malibu home, tucked into the top of a mountain, and lose yourself in this unique form of art. You show up and Carmelo takes care of the rest.

Carmelo’s classes include learning how to work with mosaic glass and other materials on two-dimensional and three-dimensional surfaces. Participants learn how to make mirrors, artwork frames, masks, table tops or an endless number of objects.

“It’s a way to get started without needing to buy any of the tools or any of the materials,” Carmelo says. “You have only to bring yourself. I provide all the materials and the tools and the instruction. You spend the day in this idyllic setting completely devoted to joys and distractions of the artwork.”

Carmelo, who is also a world class chef, will provide a variety of cheeses and wines. He plans to adapt his classes for special parties (for kids and adults) adding pizzas and other sumptuous delights.

Susan Blakely, a Golden Globe winning actress, recalls her day in one of Carmelo’s early classes.

[SEE PHOTOS] “The entire experience is completely magical. You feel like you’re on a hilltop in Tuscany, looking out over the Mediterranean, working with your hands in a craft that’s completely engaging. Carmelo is so supportive, so patient and such a dedicated teacher.

It’s one of the best days I’ve ever spent away from the city,” she says.

Carmelo recalls his early days as a boy artist with a little book that he carried with him in which to draw and develop his one page comic books. “It’s the most wonderful diversion you can imagine. I’ve been fortunate. I was given a gift and now I want to share it with everyone,” Carmelo says. “I’m so excited to have people come and learn this and spend the day.”

And you don’t have to fly to Europe for the vacation. It’s right here in Malibu.

For more info go to malibumosaics.com

ENVIRONMENT

KILLER CHEMICAL ON THE LOOSE

BY DR. STEPHEN FRANTZ

GLYPHOSATE

PART THREE

IS IT DARK MAGIC THAT ENABLES GLYPHOSATE TO CAUSE SUCH EXTENSIVE HARM to humans, animals, and the environment? No, of course not, it is simply a matter of how life systems work…and respond to this all-in-one herbicide/antibiotic/chelating agent. Damage is particularly severe in our vast gut microbiome where the complex of (mostly) bacteria normally protects us from disease agents, breaks down food to release energy, and produces vitamins.

The antimicrobial properties of glyphosate disrupt the shikimate pathway of our gut microbiome; thus, interfering with bacterial production of essential aromatic amino acids. With disrupted production of amino acids, protein formation is defective, and the mitochondria (‘cell management central’) use errant proteins that cannot accomplish normal cellular functions. This results in unpredictable disease outcomes such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, etc. In addition, glyphosate preferentially kills beneficial gut bacteria allowing pathogens to flourish, leading to inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut syndrome, acid reflux, Celiac disease and other gut issues. Gut bacteria also depend on the shikimate pathway for production of essential nutrients, the deficiencies of which have been implicated in autism, spina bifida, anencephaly, etc. Since glyphosate acts at a fundamental molecular level that negatively affects ALL life forms, it might best be categorized as an ecocide.

Greater insight into glyphosate’s mechanisms of morbidity and mortality will soon be published by Dr. Anthony Samsel and Dr. Stephanie Seneff (MIT) in their continuing series, “Glyphosate Pathways to Modern Diseases”. Such diseases have been on the rise for the past two decades and closely correlate with the rise in glyphosate agricultural use in the U.S.. Note that in the last decade, more than 2.4 billion pounds of glyphosate have been used (according to the Environmental Working Group) on more than a billion acres of U.S. crops. Glyphosate is sprayed on genetically engineered glyphosate-tolerant crops at the beginning of (and during) their growth, and nonGE crops may be sprayed near harvest for desiccation purposes and to enhance grain yields; hence, we have extensive contamination of our food supply.

I’ve written previously about the slow, generally imperceptible, poisoning that is characteristic of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs), see Issues 28 and 30 of The Local.

Is it possible to protect ourselves from this seemingly ineradicable poisoning? Note that foods with “non-GMO” and “GMO-free” labels do not protect us from glyphosate.

And you may be indirectly affected by glyphosate spray drift even if you don’t live next to sprayed agricultural fields. Remember that GBHs are widely used at homes, schools, parks, roadsides, forests, hiking trails, vineyards, etc.. And while you may avoid spray drift per se, most conventional food has been exposed to glyphosate as described earlier. The pre-harvest treatment of non-GE grains and soybeans has resulted in glyphosate residue in bread, bagels, pasta, oatmeal, wheat cereals, beer, and soy creamer. The point is, glyphosate commonly contaminates food, water, and air, and some effort is required to minimize one’s exposure. Eating organic foods helps, but because of spray drift, surface runoff, and evapotranspiration, even some organic foods have been found contaminated — but generally at much lower levels than other foods.

The USDA’s national Pesticide Data Program (PDP) is charged with producing “the most comprehensive pesticide residue database in the U.S.”: it administers the sampling, testing, and reporting of pesticide residues on agricultural commodities in the U.S. food supply (domestic and imported), with an emphasis on those commodities highly consumed by infants and children; it is to enable the EPA to assess dietary exposure; and is to provide guidance for the FDA and other governmental agencies to make informed decisions. Reprehensibly, glyphosate is excluded from this program. On the other hand, after years of pressure from concerned scientists and the public, and a 2014 rebuke from the U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO), the FDA recently announced that it will begin testing some foods for glyphosate residue… beginning in 2017. It remains to be seen if they will use appropriately sensitive analytical methods for accurate recoverability of glyphosate residue in a manner that, optimally, could assure consumers that the food they feed their families is safe (see below for scientific conflicts re. safe assurances).

While waiting for official residue-testing to begin, one can select organic foods that are glyphosate-free. Review guidance materials provided by organizations that conduct or report on glyphosate testing, including: Alliance for Natural Health USA; Consumer Reports; EcoWatch; GMO Free USA; Moms Across America; NaturalNews; Organic Consumers Association; and Institute for Responsible Technology. Recently published guidelines by Moms Across America indicate that not all certifications are created equal, for example:

Glyphosate-tested Food Seals ––––––––––––––––– Best = “Healthy Traditions Glyphosate Free” (batch tested) Better = “CCOF (CA Certified Organic Farmers)” and “Oregon Tilth” (test for pesticides, but Undetermined = “Glyphosate-Free Certified” (relative newcomer; will test annually)

rarely

for glyphosate)

Organic Grower Seals –––––––––––––––––––––– Best = “Biodynamic/Demeter” (regenerative organic methods, use no pesticides; bee-friendly do not test for glyphosate) Better = “Certified Naturally Grown” (bee-friendly; manures must not come from animals fed GE feed; not glyphosate tested) Can be Good = “USDA Organic” (“100% Organic” is better than “Organic” because the latter may contain up to 5% non-organic; may contain ‘natural” pesticides; manure sources may include animals grown in confinement and those fed GE feeds; be aware of the source)

Glyphosate is equivalent to death. Graphic adaptation: C. & S. Frantz What remains unsettling is that while some “standards” exist for allowable contamination of food and drinking water, the U.S. is far more tolerant of glyphosate contamination than the EU. However, all such “standards” really are meaningless because the “safe level” is actually nil. That is, glyphosate causes cellular destruction at virtually any concentration, and the various “standards” (e.g., UK Food Standards, EPA Chronic Reference Dose, and EU Acceptable Daily Intake) have no rigorous scientific basis (e.g., not supported by meaningful data with real-world formulations (including combinations of pesticides that are applied simultaneously or sequentially; are arbitrary levels set by industry from data not peer reviewed; not tested on all foods or all age groups; environmental impact is not considered; etc.). Thus, in testing our urine (or blood, food, water), we can learn at what level our bodies are contaminated, but we can’t be certain of what it means in terms of health consequences. Any reference scale for evaluating lab results only helps us to understand where we are with respect to others’ results, and can alert us to make changes in diet, lifestyle, etc. if glyphosate is found.

Meaningful standards for contamination by glyphosate (and its metabolites), and how to interpret such data in terms of health and safety for people, animals, and the environment are yet to be developed by independent scientists.

ENVIRONMENT It’s disheartening that the EPA has not taken an active role in protecting us from this scourge.

Many years of peer-reviewed research are available to show that glyphosate and its formulations contribute to a plethora of cancers, birth defects, neurological disorders, and organ failures in humans and other animals, damage the soil microbiome, and contribute to climate change. Has the EPA perused the health and safety data from glyphosate manufacturers?

Have they relied too heavily on industry-sponsored data? Have they examined real-world formulations that would actually be used in the environment? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, and we know that glyphosate has been approved for many uses for many years, the EPA would appear to be functioning an a manner that is unscientific, unethical, unsafe, and probably unlawful. In this regard, I met with Congressman Ted Lieu in November 2015 and, as a result of that meeting, he asked me to assemble a delegation of scientists to meet with the appropriate EPA scientists. He sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting such a meeting (see image), the EPA responded favorably, and an all-day meeting is set for June 14. This delegation of more than a dozen independent scientists represent: basic glyphosate research (human, animal & environmental health), molecular biology & genetics, occupational health, clinical nutrition, agronomy, plant pathology, regenerative biological agriculture, climate change mitigation, and community/science advocacy.

The science is clear that glyphosate contributes significantly to human and animal illness and death, environmental degradation and climate change; and further, that there is a sustainable pathway to biologically restore land that has been damaged by BigAg’s “chemical agriculture”.

What is less clear is if the EPA has the necessary political and ethical will to stop the ever-present damage concomitant with GBH use. We all know the water supply debacle of Flint, MI; however, I am not aware of water authorities that monitor for the glyphosate contamination that is nationwide. Returning to the three earlier questions, answering yes to any would obligate the EPA to cancel the registration of glyphosate if they are to adhere to the precautionary principle and provide common-sense strategies to protect public health and the environment.

If the machinations between the glyphosate industry and the EPA were made public, I think GBH production and use would be halted posthaste. And should not such information that is critical to the health and safety of the people be totally accessible? How else can the public evaluate the data and verify that the government agencies entrusted to protect us are doing their jobs honestly and accurately? Some countries have outright banned glyphosate, others are considering the same or have partially banned it. While our agencies — EPA, USDA, and the FDA — slowly take minor steps to review regulations for glyphosate use, Ministers in the EU are taking direct action to not approve the re-licensing of this carcinogenic weedkiller. Our efforts on Capitol Hill will be to prevent the re-registration of glyphosate, a process the EPA has scheduled for completion in 2017.

ABOVE: Massive spraying of glyphosate-based herbicides comes back to haunt us.

RIGHT: Glyphosate application does not stay in one place, it moves via the normal water cycle, wind, rain and runoff.

Image: Wikipedia BOTTOM RIGHT: Inexplicably, the U.S. tolerates far more glyphosate in our food & water than does the EU! Image: Benbrook, 2014 BOTTOM: Copy of letter from Congressman Lieu to the U.S.EPA requesting a meeting to discuss the health and safety risks of glyphosate.

Source: the author

Who’s spreading the word? A good starting point is to visit the websites of groups already mentioned. Also consider other mediums; for example, the 2008 film,The World According to Monsanto (and that Director is currently working on a film about glyphosate and would like to film our June 14 meeting with the EPA, if allowed). The conscientious, Grammy Award-winning artist Neil Young produced a short documentary last year called Seeding Fear; and released an album, “The Monsanto Years”, that address glyphosate, GMOs, and other corporate/industrial farming issues (wouldn’t it be spectacular if he gave an impromptu concert at our press conference in Washington after our meeting with the EPA?). Using Hawaii as an example, the Center for Food Safety released a short animated film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKhviAbMXE0) that gives a clear overview of the subject. And as I was drafting this article, a very informative piece was aired by ABC-TV, https://www.youtube.com/watchv=Q6_h8bn24QA&google_comment_id=z13rudmh3nrdsprf022qsjhqcqybtvjyt04&google_view_type#gpluscomments.

The ABC piece was to have a followup regarding non-toxic solutions, but they pulled it — is that spelled corporate censorship? NEWSFLASH: The original piece has now been scrubbed from ABC’s website; however, it can still be found at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/weed-killer-could-lurking-california-232951994.html. And remember that, locally, we have GBH-active environmental groups: The Topanga Creek Watershed Committee has managed to stop Caltrans’ roadside spraying of GBHs in Topanga Canyon; and Poison Free Malibu is working with authorities to stop using GBHs and various other pesticides in Malibu. These are all efforts to be supported. As individuals, we can simply ask our local gardening centers to stop selling GBH products; there are several manufacturers and trade names — examine the ingredient labels to sort it all out. And shouldn’t our water supply be free of glyphosate? For us to survive, we need to ban GBHs and divest financial resources from industries that produce such materials, so let’s get on with it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Monday May 16th, Malibu Parks and Recreation heard from a long lineup of Malibu residents who came to have their voices heard during the public comments in support of Kian Schulman’s Poison Free Malibu presentation. The hope was that Malibu would cease all use of the poisonous pesticides and herbicides that are currently being used in our parks. Featured experts included, Dr. Stephen Frantz, PhD,. who has a doctorate in pathobiology from Johns Hopkins University. He has spent years working for the Centers for Disease Control and the New York Department of Health, and spoke out against the use of glyphosate - the primary ingredient in weed killer Roundup. He has been invited by Rep. Ted Lieu to present the latest science on glyphosate to the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as senatorial and congressional staff in Washington, D.C., on June 14.

Resident after resident, including local activists Jennifer DeNicola and Sherman Baylin followed up with pleas to the commissioners to find organic alternatives and safer solutions ,including the hiring of laborers for manual weed eradication. Is it hard work ? Yes. But a little honest hard work never hurt anybody but a little poison can kill you!

Lance Simmens, the newly appointed Board President of the Malibu Adamason House Foundation, has been involved in Public Policy and pointed out to the Commission their responsibilities with 4 tenets.

“First, remember that everything is connected to everything else....I often have taught my children and my students this fundamental tenet of environmental policy. Second, always keep in mind the Precautionary Principle, do no harm, take great strides to exercise caution, especially in areas where there are challenges and unknowns in the scientific evidence. Third, cheaper is not always better...and it is essential that you weigh non monetary costs and benefits when discussing issues that will affect children’s well-being and health. Often times sheer costs and benefits based upon dollars and cents masks the long-term consequences and end up costing far more both in actual dollars and in externalities such as quality of life. Fourth, your solemn duty and responsibility as government officials, whether elected or appointed, is to protect the citizens of your community.”

In the end the Commissioners voted for a compromise and an oversight committee to stop the use of poisons at Legacy, Equestrian and Las Flores Parks but not Bluffs or Trancas Parks.

Partially disappointed Kian Schulman said after the meeting , “ They’re still determined to use these poisons, no matter how much we try to educate them ...

I’ve heard nothing but rhetoric from Bob Stallings and Drew Belter, Parks and Recreation supervisor for years.” -Steve Woods

ENVIRONMENT

EMPTY THE TANKS

BY MARIE MANVEL

May 7th, 2016 was the day the world came together to free the whales.

This third annual “Empty The Tanks” event was held in many cities around the world, including Portugal, Japan, Australia and others. Protestors marched together on this day to create awareness of the plight of captive whales and other cetaceans confined to “concrete prisons” in marine parks around the world.

The Malibu rally was organized by the Kotler Family who have become champions for the Orcas in captivity.

Kirra Kotler received global attention for protesting against her 5th grade annual trip to Sea World after seeing the movie Blackfish. The school eventually cancelled the trip after many students and parents supported Kirra’s decision. The media follwed the story closely which gave it the momentum it needed to get support from many other environmentalists and organizations.

The Malibu Empty The Tanks group demonstrated genuine concern for the environment, the law, the public and local businesses. It’s not hard to see the selfless concern the group has for imprisoned cetaceans everywhere.

About seventy-five protestors attended, walking with signs from Malibu Village, along PCH to the rally at the Malibu Pier in protest of marine life in captivity everywhere.

Special guest John Hargrove, a former killer Orca trainer Sea World spoke with passion and emotion about his desire to end captivity and the treatment these animals receive at the theme parks. Sea World, is one of the marine parks that is a target of the protests. Even though Sea World plans a new 50-by-350-foot deep pool, set to open at the San Diego park in 2018, detractors of the plan say that is not enough room for the Orcas who, in the wild, can swim up to 100 miles daily.

All ages showed up to demonstrate their passion for Empty The Tanks.

Although protestors passionate about the cause, they carefully followed local laws with regards to public gatherings and the protest was carried out in apeaceful manner.

Empty the Tanks began in 2013 by a young activist who visited Japan as a volunteer to help document the annual dolphin slaughters that take place there. After witnessing the horrific acts happening in the infamous Cove, the activist decided she wanted to take the fight to the captivity industry.

Empty the Tanks is not a radical movement demanding the release of all captive marine mammals into the wild. In fact, say some of these animals are not candidates for release.

They suggest Marine life in captivity should be retired into sea pens, so they can enjoy the rest of their days in natural seawater, instead of a chlorinated concrete fish bowl for the public.

Empty The Tanks idea is that animals should be free to be able to feel the waves of the ocean around them. They should not be worked until their last breath and thrown out like trash and replaced.

Real estate mogul Chris Cortazzo came out to protest the Orcas in captivity along with rally host Honore Kotler and The Local Malibu editor Kandace Murphy. Photo: Linda Atkinson/The Local Malibu

For more information go to: emptythetanks.org Kirra Kotler (above,center) brought awareness to this issue when she protested her 5th grade class trip to Sea World after Seeing the movie “Blackfish”. Her activism received global attention. Photo: Linda Atkinson/The Local Malibu

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COVER FEATURE

BEING NICK

SCREENWRITER NICK REINER DISCUSSES HIS SOBRIETY JOURNEY AND ‘PUTTING IT OUT THERE’ FOR THE WORLD TO SEE IN HIS DEEPLY PERSONAL FILM BEING CHARLIE.

BY LINDA ATKINSON MA, MBA By the age of 15 Malibu local Nick Reiner (son of Actor/Producer/Director Rob Reiner) had his first stint with drug rehab. He then journeyed through many dark drug induced years and now at the age of 22, he is in recovery with the courage to share his story. The Local Malibu met with Reiner at our Malibu offices for the interview and an impromptu photo shoot. Strikingly handsome, with dark tousled hair, Reiner wore a blue button down shirt arriving with his beautiful sister Romy at this side. You can instantly feel their deep connection and love, an understanding of the journey they have undoubtably taken together as a family. Slightly shy, yet able to sport a movie star smirk, Reiner rises to the occasion providing us with some amazing cover shot options as we discuss his new film ‘Being Charlie’. Fellow recovering addict Matt Elisofon co-wrote the film with Reiner while in rehab together and the movie is a drama with comedic elements loosely based on Nick and Matt’s own lives. ‘Being Charlie’ tells the story of 18 year old Charlie (Nick Robinson of Jurassic World fame) and his struggles with drug abuse. Nick’s father Rob Reiner produced and directed the film calling Nick the “heart and soul” of ‘Being Charlie’. Side note: the film also stars longtime Malibu resident and former 90265 Magazine cover feature, actor Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) as Charlie’s actor-turned-politician father. The film opened to a sell-out crowd at the Toronto Film Festival September 14, 2015 and on May 6, 2016 opened in limited release and expands nationwide in coming weeks. We learned of Reiner’s powerful and thought provoking journey as we sat down to hear his viewpoint on addiction and the courage it took to share his story...

PHOTO: EMILY SCHER

Clockwise from below: Nick as a child with his father, director/producer Rob Reiner. Photo by Michele Reiner. The Reiner men today. Nick Reiner and his sister Romy on May 18, 2016.

“I’D RATHER YOU ALIVE HATING ME, THEN DEAD IN THE STREET .”- FROM THE MOVIE

BEING CHARLIE’

LA: The film and your screenplay lay bare the deep issues of addiction and the journey everyone involved takes. Was this challenging to get on the page?

NR: It really wasn’t too bad because I felt there was a lot to process. It took a toll sorting through bad times in my life but ultimately I believe it was helpful.

LA: What was the actual writing process like for you and Matt Elisofon (co-writer)? Did you start writing while in rehab with Matt? How did you think the idea/story up?

NR: We met in a facility in Los Angeles. It took a while for us to become friends. We both shared similar interests in comedy and films. After observing hilarious people and situations we decided to start taking notes. We would write on notepads during group and the staff thought we were being diligent. But really we were just writing down funny stuff people said. Then at night, we would smoke on a porch and talk about what we had observed. When we got out we turned it into a slap-sticky half-hour comedy that wasn’t very good. We showed it to my dad and he thought it was a good attempt. I don’t think he really liked it but he was glad I actually found something to do. Discouraged, we put the project down for about three years. I was in New York at the time, where Matt is from, and I called him up just to see how he was doing. We decided to meet for bagels and began discussing the script we had written. We were laughing, remembering some of what was in there, so we decided to go up to his apartment and take a look at it. We got through two pages and realized it was unbearable. After that we took a more serious tone with it, turning it into an hour-long drama. We showed it to my dad and this time he seemed genuinely taken by it. He liked the tone. So we took it around to a couple of networks and got shot down at every single one. Then my dad asked us if we could turn what we had written into a movie.

From that point to filming it was about a year.

LA: That’s a very fast turn around. Your film is highly personal; what is it like putting yourself out there in such a vulnerable way? Were there times when you put too much out there or where you were afraid of the reaction the film may get?

NR: When I was writing it I didn’t feel like I was putting too much out there because I knew the character wasn’t based off me. And especially being a writer (if this thing ever did get made) no one would be focused on me. As the process progressed, I began to worry about people thinking about things like nepotism. My dad told me there would be people who say that, but it doesn’t matter. The work matters and that’s all you can focus on. I knew I had worked really hard trying to get the script to where my dad liked it. When the film came out and I was told I had to do publicity and promote the film in a certain way I felt very uncomfortable. At the last minute I decided to do it. It made me face a lot of my fears because people did say hurtful things. And it was great when they became irrelevant to me.

LA: Speaking of that, your film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival September 14, 2015 to a sell-out audience. What was that experience like? (the film was released by Paladin May 6, 2016 and is showing in selected theatres- check online and at theatres near you) NR: That was one of the highlights of the whole experience. I had never had to do anything like it. I never wanted it to get to my head so I constantly tried to remain as grounded as possible. Then going up in front of over a thousand people in a huge theater was pretty intimidating.

LA: Your dad, actor/director/producer Rob Reiner, is known for such films as When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Princess Bride, The Bucket List and many great films but has never tackled this subject matter head-on. Was there any hesitation on his part?

NR: One thing I really love about my dad is that throughout his career he’s really tried to do every type of genre. So it’s not a surprise to me that he would want to take on a subject matter like this.

LA: Your lead character, Charlie, has many failed attempts at rehab until he is somewhat tricked into recovery. You have been through 17 rehab attempts -how much of the film has been pulled from your own life?

NR: People would like to think that the character in the movie is me. It really isn’t. It’s a combination of what I went through, what Matt went through, and also what my family had been through.

LA: How did your challenge with addiction begin? What are your thoughts on this? Did you feel listened to in life? Seen? Understood? Normal?

NR: I was around drugs from a really early age. Every one in my grade wasn’t scared to try or do anything. I guess for me it progressed quickly. I think drugs were just a result of how I was feeling at the time.

LA: What is the one thing (or two) that you would want society to understand about addiction?

NR: It’s that we don’t know everything there is to know about it. A lot of people feel that if a program doesn’t work for them they are flawed. It’s never looked at the other way around.

That maybe the program could be wrong. I don’t think people should doubt themselves. Everyone uses differently so everyone recovers differently. That’s why I don’t believe a one size fits all approach is helpful. Especially for someone who has failed multiple times and believes that it’s solely his or her fault.

COVER FEATURE “EVERYONE USES DIFFERENTLY SO EVERYONE RECOVERS DIFFERENTLY” -NICK REINER LA: Research is pointing to addiction as a disorder of brain functioning (a chronic brain disorder, not simply a behavior problem - American Society of Addiction Medicine) or having a fundamental biological component to it. Does this ring true in your experience?

NR: In my experience I don’t believe so. I think people feel bad for a number of reasons and they have specific ways of masking their emotions. I think you have to deal with the underlying issues.

LA: What is your greatest learning from your journey so far? Did you have any spiritual or connection to ‘something greater than yourself’ through all this?

NR: I’ve learned a lot throughout this entire process. I also still have many questions. To be completely honest the spiritual aspect of the programs never took for me. I tried very hard to believe in something but physically couldn’t. They would ask me things like, “do you know how a tree grows” or “can you stop a wave from crashing?” The answer was no. And then I would ask how is any of that going to keep me sober? If there’s any power to be found it’s most likely going to come from within.

LA: “I’d rather have you alive hating me, then dead in the streets” is a line from the film where David apologized to Charlie for being cruel. Where did this line come from? It is very powerful.

NR: That is how I believe my parents felt throughout that period. At the time I was very angry with them and harbored a ton of resentment. But being removed from it for so long I was able to see their side of it. And how hard it must have been for them.

LA: What do you say to someone who thinks that addiction is just a battle of will power?

NR: I would say that it is more than that. People should be compassionate towards someone with a problem. Help them instead of punishing them.

LA: In your opinion and from your own experience, how can families and friends support and help someone with addiction issues?

NR: As hard as it is to watch someone go through addiction you have to let someone work through it on his or her own terms. All cases are different but I’ve noticed that someone has to really want it. Sometimes people don’t know that they want it. It’s important to let people know that you care and you are there for them.

LA: Malibu alone has over 20 rehab treatment centers-in other words it’s also big business. What are your thoughts on this?

NR: I noticed that a lot of these places talk a big game in terms of what treatment they offer. Claiming they do dual-diagnosis treatment when that’s really more of a marketing tool to get people sent there. For people who need help and can’t afford it, they get arrested and treated like criminals due to how the government views the war on drugs. And, for the people lucky enough to afford treatment, the price isn’t cheap. Not only that but if you graduate from their program, enter “their” outpatient facility and then relapse you’re sent right back to their inpatient facility. The more you relapse the more money they make. One of the worst things of all is the bait and switch method that these places use. The first place I ever went to was when I was just turning 15. I went for a consultation in Los Angeles. I was told they just wanted to meet with us. The second we got there I was taken into a room alone with a counselor. My parents were taken into a separate room and talked to by two other men. The guy was really nice to me, asking me about my life and what had been happening lately. I felt comfortable enough to open up to him, revealing some of the bad things I had been up to. At the time I thought being honest was the best route. After we were done, we met my parents outside on a balcony. They told me they wanted me to go to an inpatient place, which was very nice, and I would only have to stay 45 days. It ended up being 126 days. I agreed to go look at the place. They made me drive up separately from my parents. When we got there I was told my parents were leaving and that I was staying.

Throughout the whole process they tell your parents one thing, and you another. I think starting a recovery process based on a lie is a bad thing.

LA: Thank you for your courage in putting this film out there. What type of feedback have you received since the film hit theatres?

NR: Some good, some not so good. I cared at first but realized quickly that it’s all noise. People are going to say what they’re gonna’ say.

LA: Yes, that is very true and a great learning experience. What’s up next for you; what are you looking forward to?

NR: I’m really excited for the next thing that I’m doing with three of my childhood friends (two of whom were in the movie as clients in rehab.) I want to move on from such autobiographical work and this next project is really out there so I hope people like it.

LA: Thanks Nick, it’s been a pleasure.

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OPINION

ISIS GOES VIRAL

CHAPTER 6 & 7

BY DAVID STANSFIELD EDITED BY ALLEN WALDMAN

OPINION

6. THE CALIPH (continued)

OPINION

7. STOP PRESS Part 1 (continued)

David Stansfield is an Arabic scholar who has lived and worked in many parts of the Middle East. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in Arabic Studies from Durham University, and continued studying the language and the culture at the universities of Cambridge, Paris and Toronto, whereupon he was recruited by MI6, the British equivalent of the CIA. Most recently, he was the Arabic consultant on the House of Cards TV series.

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72

LIFESTYLE

IN THE BU

The Adamson House

WITH TRACEY ROSS

FASHION AND LIFESTYLE GURU TRACEY ROSS OPENS UP HER ROLODEX TO THE LOCAL IN HER REGULAR COLUMN ON HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MALIBU LIFESTYLE. FRIDAY NIGHT:

CASA ESCOBAR: For dinner try their new vegan menu, specifically the Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Burrito. It’s da bomb! Popular vote is they have by far the best Margaritas in town. If you are lucky, DJ MATT ROBINSON may be in the house spinning. You will dance the night away. Casa Escobar 310.456.1999 22969 Pacific Coast Highway. *They have valet.

Come a tad early and go to AVIATOR NATION next door for some good shopping 70’s style sweats you will never take off for the entire weekend. California comfy and cool! Aviator Nation 310.456.1532

SATURDAY MORNING:

OLLO MALIBU: Located in the old, beloved Coogies spot, this fairly new restaurant (same owner as Coogies - just a different vibe) has become quite the little local gem. Their breakfast menu is amazing - and with so many choices like Breakfast Skillets with Chorizo and Sausage, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Acai Bowls, fresh squeezed fruit and organic veggie juices, three flavors of mimosas and so much more. Ollo Malibu 310.317.1444 23750 Pacific Coast Hwy. Next head over to THE ADAMSON HOUSE AND MALIBU LAGOON MUSEUM, a national historical site and registered California landmark with the most beautiful grounds and views. Bring a blanket and picnic basket filled with goodies from Malibu Kitchen (their Egg Salad Sandwich is off the hook - like right out of a New York Deli - only better because it’s in Malibu!) and watch the surfers at First and Second point. Afterwards visit the museum and gardens and learn about the history of Malibu. The Adamson House 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

The Vegan Rosted vegetable and quinoa burrito at Casa Escobar Malibu

Get your 70’s Cali surf vibe on at Aviator Nation.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

CANVAS MALIBU: Malibu has some well curated retail shops and one of my favorites is Canvas Malibu. This contemporary gallery style boutique boasts some amazing art and hard to find, yet highly coveted labels. Located at the Malibu Country Mart. 3835 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 310.317.9895 Finish your shopping and grab lunch at Taverna Tony next door. Their traditional greek hummus served with bread is phenomenal and their is no way you can wrong when ordering from the menu - whether you are vegan or a meat eater every dish is a crowd pleaser. This spot has been a go-to for locals and tourists alike for over a decade. 23410 Civic Center Way 310.317.9667

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Days are getting longer which means the sunsets are closer to 8 pm - which gives you more than enough time to head over to SUNSET RESTAURANT AND BEACH BAR and catch the most spectacular sunset. Local favorites are the Arugula Flatbread, Tuna Tartar, Linguine and Clams, Mussels and Frites and so many more amazing mediterranean dishes. Oceanfront cocktails and spectacular seafood.

6800 Westward Beach Rd. Looking for live music after your fabulous feast? Look no further than Ollie’s Duck Dive. An uber (pun intended) quick drive from The Sunset Resturant. Every Friday and Saturday night a live show starts at 10 p.m. with drink and food specials. The schedule boasts an eclectic mix of different bands and music genres, sometimes an impromptu jam session will happen with the likes of Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith or Kid Rock if they happen to be in town and stroll in for a little fun. 29169 Heathercliff Road, Suite 102 310.589.2200

Kicking back on Carbon Beach.

The Breakfast Skillet at Ollo.

SUNDAY MORNING:

Breakfast at the Malibu Pier is always a great way to start a Sunday morning. Farm-to-table fare at Malibu Farm has become quite the phenomenon for tourists (although locals have been lucky enough to enjoy Helene Henderson’s gourmet goodies since she started her monthly dinners a few years before Malibu Farm opened at the pier). Fried Egg Sandwich, Quinoa Oatmeal, Swediah Pancakes (wash it down with Farm favorite Watermelon juice) all with a front row seat to the action at Surfrider Beach. 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy 310.456.1112. Before breakfast, if you don’t own one already, rent surfboads or paddleboards (they have kayaks too) from MALIBU SURF SHACK across from the pier and head over to Latigo Cove for a post breakfast paddle.

22935 Pacific Coast Hwy 310.456.8508

Have a picnic lunch on the grass at the Adamson House and watch the surfers at First Point.

Contemporary Art gallery meets boutique at Canvas Malibu in the Malibu Country Mart.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON:

A beautiful Sunday afternoon is well spent in Malibu’s Wine Country.

Head over Kanan Rd. to Cornell (in the Malibou Lake area ) and start with wine tasting at Cornell Winery. This little jewel of a tasting room with a well stocked retail area filled with wine to cater to the most discerning tastes, is the only place in the area that allows you to explore the majority of wines made in the mountains of Malibu (they also also promote wines up to the central coast region). When you’re finished sipping grapes, go next door and get the best old shool, saloon style meal at The Old Place. This small, yet quaint restaurant is located in the historical Cornell General Store and Post Office. Opened over 50 years ago by Hollywood actor and Malibu Cowboy Tom Runyon, the rustic steakhouse is now run by Tom’s son Morgan and is a beloved Malibu spot for a delicious Sunday dinner. Reservations are a must unless you get there when the doors open and score a seat at the bar.

29983 Mulholland Hwy 818.706.9001

The Old Place, a rustic steakhouse rich in Malibu history.

Sunday paddleboard session.

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CalBRE# 01981562 29178 Heathercliff Rd. Malibu, CA. 90265 (424) 235-9249

seanlandonestates@gmail.com

PHOTO BY TIM HORTON

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BY CECE WOODS

MALIBU LOCAL RESTAURANTEUR FRANCO SIMPLICIO DISCUSSES THE EVOLUTION OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

Born in Bari, Italy and raised in the restaurant business, Franco Simplicio moved to California as a teenager. Having opened many successful restaurants in the LA area, including Padri, Allegria, Tanino, Ca Del Sole, Il Pastaio, Frascati, Moonshadows and the latest The Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar, it is obvious restaurants are his passion. Simplicio’s latest endeavor The Sunset Restaurant specializes in seafood with a Mediterranean influence and boasts tremedous oceanfront views and spectacular sunsets. A true Italian, Simplicio loves making people feel welcome in his restaurants and provides a great bar environment where people can be casual and gather with their friends or make new friends while they enjoy exceptional food and service. Below are his observations on how the restaurant industry has changed since he opened his first restaurant in 1991.

A native of Italy, Franco Simplicio (left) opened his first restaurant in U.S. in 1991. Photo by Emily Scher.

“Customers want to eat locally sourced products for all the reasons that we all agree on.” Whether it’s a core belief, the economy or the environment, eating locally sourced food is a vital part of the growth of the restaurant industry.

“Portions have gotten smaller and people are sharing more to try several things on the menu and have a more casual meal.” - Eurpoean style dining has made a filtered it’s way into the way we consume our food. Smaller meals like they serve abroad has made it’s way stateside and allows for the opportunity sample new dishes rather than filling up on just one.

“Smart phones have become part of the experience. Customers want to connect to the WIFI, they check in, they text, they take photos of the food, themselves & the restaurant and they post them on social media. This is probably related to above mentioned use of smart phones, but ordering went from 8 minutes after seating to an average of 15 minutes.” - The internet has definitely changed the way choose our restaurants. Watching friends post delicious meals from different restaurants and talk about how much they enjoyed them narrows down the selection when you are ready to go out for a good meal.

“Back in the day only 5% of customers requested a different table when seated. Now it’s up to 18% requesting to be elsewhere.” Attention spans are shorter and visual stimulation are at the top of the list for diners in this new era of dining.

“Our mission at my restaurants has always been to have the customers leave happy. We are a service business and that’s our job. The customers drive the industry”. - “Word of mouth” has now exteneded to the internet which has motivated restaurants to step up their customer service and ensure positive experiences.

6800 Westward Beach Rd. 310.589.1007 sunsetrestaurant.com instagram: @sunsetatmalibu

Simplicio’s passion is seafood and the mediterranean influence which is very evident in the Sunset’s ambience, menu and presentation. Photo: Red Ink Brand Creative Agency

Social Media had allowed the industry to grow in substantial ways allowing multiple platforms to showcase food as well as diners sharing their experiences. Follow the Sunset Restaurant: @sunsetatMalibu Social media photos by Red Ink Brand Creative Agency.

MALIBU COAST CONSTRUCTION BUILDING QUALITY SINCE 1969

Engineering I General I Swimming Pools I Masonry I Landscape Contractors 28955 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90265 310-866-8006 MALIBU 818-669-4003 WESTLAKE VILLAGE EMAIL: MALIBUCOAST@MAC.COM

World Class Properties World Renowned Community

MALIBU

Unparalleled Service

SEAN LANDON E

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CalBRE# 01981562 29178 Heathercliff Rd. Malibu, CA. 90265 (424) 235-9249

seanlandonestates@gmail.com

PHOTO BY TIM HORTON

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URFISTA INTERVIEW BY JOBI MANSON

LOCAL

READY TO ROCK SUMMER

AUTHENTIC VINTAGE ROCK N ROLL CONCERT TEES PAIRED WITH FRANKIE’S BIKINIS EQUALS AN UNDENIABLE MALIBU BEACH STYLE.

LEFT: Authentic vintage STYX concert tee, $195. SEFARI, 25001 PCH Malibu, CA. 90265 sefarioutpost.com RIGHT: FRANKIE’S BIKINIS ‘Tanner’ top, $94, Harlow bikini bottom, $98 malibu90265magazine. com/shop

Looking for more styles from Frankies Bikinis? Go to frankiesbikinis.com

ABOVE: Frankie’s Bikinis ‘Malibu’ Bikini. Top, $84, bottom, $80. malibu90265magazine.com/shop RIGHT: Original ‘DOORS’ vintage concert tee. $460. SFEARI, 25001 PCH, Malibu, CA. 90265 sefarioutpost.com

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malibu90265magazine.com

PHOTO BY LINDA ATKINSON

BY FASHION EDITOR CHRISTY CALAFATI

90265

The FASHION section is curated by:

BEAUTY SEXY & SALTY:

LOVE Curl Cream by DAVINES: This leave-on formula is recommended to define curls in an invisible way. It does not weigh down the hair.

It does not leave residue and keeps the hair soft and shiny. $27.50 Available at Canyon Salon, Westlake Village.

805.777.1140

PHOTO BY TIM HORTON

BOING Curling Cream

by UNITE: Soft, beautiful curls. That’s what you get when you use “BOING”. Tight curls, loose curls, big curls, small curls. They’re always soft and bouncy, with just the right amount of hold. 8 oz. $27 Available at Canyon Salon, Westlake Village. 805.777.1140

SUMMER HAIR, DON’T CARE...

SEA SALT SPRAY

by DAVINES: Styling spray made of sea salt that gives the hair fullness and body with a matte finish, $27. Available at Canyon Salon, Westlake Village.

805.777.1140

Nikki Corzine, master stylist and owner of Canyon Salon in Westlake gives us her go-to products to get that sexy, salty, beach babe style. -3693 E.

Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village, CA. 805.777.1140

WAVES FOR DAYS NOTHING MAKES A

GIRL HAPPIER THAN A GREAT HAIR DAY That’s me, center, with Ted Silverberg and Linda Atkinson at the Malibu Guitar Festival and below - only a few days, dry shampoo and 10 minutes of styling later - with the editors of The Local, Kelly Meyer and actor Don Hany at a screening for NBC’s Heartbeat.

BY CECE WOODS

As an (almost) lifelong So Cal girl, beachy waves should be a no-brainer but jumping in the ocean before meetings or a big event is not always convenient.

TRICKY Spray Finishing Wax by UNITE: Total magic! Empowering you with the shine, hold and manipulation that would have made Houdini want to be a hairdresser. So much in one product, $27 Available at Canyon Salon, Westlake Village. 805.777.1140

THE ARSENAL ALL PRODUCTS EXCEPT THE CURLING WAND ARE AVAILABLE AT CANYON SALON 805.777.1140

Thankfully, my best hair days have finally arrived and nothing makes a girl happier than a great hair day. After countless visits and many questions on how to upkeep my hair after I leave the salon, rock star hair guru Nikki Corzine of Canyon Salon gave me the keys to the kingdom; a three step process to go from straight hair to sexy and salty - and I haven’t looked back since.

TEXTURIZA SPRAY: Texture. Volume.

Fullness. This dry, translucent finishing spray will create unbelievable volume and texture in your hair that will last all day. and into the night. $12.50

Here’s the quick and dirty guide to ‘beach waves for days’.

1. Wash, apply Boosta Root Lifter from Unite and air dry. Comb through The wavier your hair dries, the better ( If you have curly hair you will need to straighten your hair a little first ).

2. This is where the fun begins. Heat up your curling wand, take small to medium strands of hair and wrap around the wand. Wrap the first strand around the wand clockwise, then wrap the next one counter-clockwise.

Wrap sporadically throughout to give hair a more natural look.

3. Finish off with Texturiza Spray from Unite. Sleeping on it only makes it better, so the next day when you want to style your hair don’t shampoo!

Use dry shampoo instead ( Nikki suggests Hair Refresher by Davines ) and spruce up with your curling wand - only the spots that need it - and finish off with Texturiza spray.

I can literally go 3-4 days with only using dry shampoo in between touch ups and the waves only look better.The process will take barely more than 10 minutes most of the time. Guaranteed great hair days ahead!

HAIR REFRESHER BY DAVINES: Formulated to refresh and clean all hair types without using water. Hair is scented and soft as though it was just washed! $28.50

Infinti YOU CURL by Conair, $28.50, amazon.com

Discover the art of Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement that restores balance and harmony in your home.

DEVOCEAN FENG SHUI DESIGN

MARIE KNOOS is a world-reknowned feng shui consultant with over 18 years of experience.

805-341-0495 devoceandesign.com

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LIFESTYLE

ON ANY GIVEN

BY LUDO MALMOUX

WEEKEND

THE QUEST TO PRESERVE THE ICONIC POINT DUME MALIBU RANCH HOME On any given day, droves of eager folks stroll by the cross streets of Grasswood and Cliffside, where a bougainvillea enchanted garden guilds the road. A much loved icon to the locals, with draping hues of tropical pinks and coral, many people stop and take advantage of the photo opportunity by the hobbit-like gate that once signified the original walk-in entrance to this half acre property.

Behind this enchanted blossom sits a modest home built in 1958, one of a bunch left on the point not bulldozed and replaced by a McMansion (we need to give thanks to neighbor and local writer Sam Kaplan who key phrased this word as a narrative to the large homes that host more restrooms then bedrooms!).

A Point Dume resident family with 2 teenagers had purchased this home a few years earlier and, as often is the case, the immediate community was quite anxious to discover the intentions of the new owners! What would become of the home? Would it get torn down and reconstructed into a McMansion or would it be left to stand and be enjoyed as the jewel that it was?

Much to the community’s delight, the gardens were haloed rather then torn down or fenced up. The home, which needed much TLC, was not demolished but was rebirthed into what realtors refer to as a “gem” and architectural critics refer to as a minimalist design Malibu ranch home. Quite a mouth full for most but this style has finally come to age. The renaissance of simple pleasures cohorted by modest living spaces; a perfect blend of environmentalism meets the epitome of modernity. This ranch home has preserved its existing floor plan with classically long hallways, bedrooms that are set some distance from the living area, high ceilings and windows that are larger than the classic California bungalow. It offers a place where a family can spend their weekends in a sun-drenched home entertaining good friends. The adults sipping on nature’s local grapes, the girls resolving the latest Malibu High School conundrum, and the boys huddled around the BBQ turning the sizzling Moroccan lamb sausages made locally by Vintage Grocery. The teenagers will most likely be strolling in and out with surfboards in arm, or simply skating across the original 1958 concrete floors of this open plan dwelling.

This is what Malibu living is all about; those who live here know how to enjoy every aspect of it! The weather, the beaches, the surfing, the eccentric and caring community, the canyons and abundant trails, the schools, and our new local Café Organicito and Sunlife are game changers. Yes, those who live in Malibu are truly blessed!

29107cliffside.com - This iconic Point Dume Malibu ranch with ocean view and easy access to Big Dume Beach, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, open plan, peacefully situated on a half acre, gated and serene with ample guest parking. Updated throughout with honed cement floors, marble counters, custom cabinetry, stainless Viking appliances, vaulted ceilings and a modern and minimalist design that is timeless and defined.

Standing seam aluminum roof, well groomed landscape with modern Ipe decking, outdoor fire-pit, custom ocean view soaking hot tub, large outdoor built-in stainless Viking BBQ, dining and south facing lawn areas are sun drenched in sunshine that inspire the seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. Close to Point Dume Marine Science School and Point Dume Village shopping center.

Yes- this “gem” is up for grabs again! Wake up to a slice of paradise in a promising economy, but more importantly, in a Malibu ranch home that has been saved and is hopefully a lesson to others too eager to change this amazing place we call home.

Listed with Shen Shultz from Sotheby’s, a second generation Malibu local, who serves the community with his many talents (including being a member of the Roman Helmets band.)

Shen Shultz CalBRE# 1327630 t: 310.980.8809 e: shen@malibudreamhouse.com Malibu Point Dume Brokerage 28700 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu CA 90265 29107cliffside.com

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